Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank #2658072
05/22/19 04:36 PM
05/22/19 04:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,276
Danville, NH
M
Mopar_Mike Offline OP
master
Mopar_Mike  Offline OP
master
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,276
Danville, NH
Can the main crank bearings be removed/replaced without removing the crankshaft on a 426 Hemi?
Thanks.


RS23L7 4-Speed



Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: Mopar_Mike] #2658086
05/22/19 05:06 PM
05/22/19 05:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,549
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy Offline
I Live Here
fourgearsavoy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,549
Rittman Ohio
I have done it on daily driver cars before but there is usually some crank damage if the bearings failed though.

Gus beer


64 Plymouth Savoy
493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow
5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box
Dana 60
Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: Mopar_Mike] #2658088
05/22/19 05:09 PM
05/22/19 05:09 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 653
Fredericksburg Va
P
plycuda Offline
mopar
plycuda  Offline
mopar
P

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 653
Fredericksburg Va
yeah. take the cap off. turn the crank until the oil hole comes around. bend over a cotter pin. stick in the oil hole and turn the motor over and bearing walks right around. put the new bearing in the same way. works great.

Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: plycuda] #2658092
05/22/19 05:16 PM
05/22/19 05:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,276
Danville, NH
M
Mopar_Mike Offline OP
master
Mopar_Mike  Offline OP
master
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,276
Danville, NH
Thanks, have a hemi I want to use at the drags. No damage or problems, but I want to put fresh bearings in if I can without taking it all apart.


RS23L7 4-Speed



Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: Mopar_Mike] #2658095
05/22/19 05:23 PM
05/22/19 05:23 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 653
Fredericksburg Va
P
plycuda Offline
mopar
plycuda  Offline
mopar
P

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 653
Fredericksburg Va
pulling the rear main seal for #5 was what I was more worried about. getting the rear main seal to go back in with out leaking

Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: Mopar_Mike] #2658099
05/22/19 05:29 PM
05/22/19 05:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
You will need to loosen the rear main seal holder a little also so be very careful when rotating the crankshaft, hopefully it won't start leaking luck
I would loosen all the main caps and rear seal holder before trying to change any of the main bearings, the seal holder will have to be pushed back on a angle or removed completely to get the number five main cap off also work whiney
Do you know the main bearings need replacing? If not look real hard at them for damage, if there not hurt don't fix them tsk
Don't forget about the thrust clearances on the center main bearing, .004 to .010 max scope


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: Cab_Burge] #2658139
05/22/19 06:56 PM
05/22/19 06:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,300
Penna
7
70satelliteguy Offline
pro stock
70satelliteguy  Offline
pro stock
7

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,300
Penna

Replacing them this way puts a lot of pressure on the timing chain. Shortly after replacing them on my RB years ago I found parts of the chain in the pan and had to replace the timing chain.


Mike

Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: 70satelliteguy] #2658179
05/22/19 08:39 PM
05/22/19 08:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
I've done it plenty of times. Never had an issue. Loosen all 5 bearings first and take your time. The thrust is the toughest.Though I've never tried the cotter pin trick.
Doug

Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: dvw] #2658242
05/22/19 10:57 PM
05/22/19 10:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
Originally Posted by dvw
I've done it plenty of times. Never had an issue. Loosen all 5 bearings first and take your time. The thrust is the toughest.Though I've never tried the cotter pin trick.
Doug
iagree
I use a thin blade screw driver on the upper bearing half that doesn't have the retaining tab and push it so it will slide out the other side of the main webbing. You can also try and use the thin blade between the block and the back of the bearing retaining tab to pry the bearing retaining tab down out of the block scope
Be careful on installing the new half, make sure it is absolutely brain surgery clean on the back side of the bearing, maybe get a can of spray brake cleaner and try to clean the top half of the main webbing out also, use plenty of compress air to blow any tiny pieces out and dry the break cleaner off the main webbing up wrench
Make sure and oil the crank bearing surface as well as maybe spread a little oil on the bottom half also up
IHTHs

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 05/22/19 11:01 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Replace Main Bearing without Removing Crank [Re: plycuda] #2658279
05/23/19 03:36 AM
05/23/19 03:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline
master
gregsdart  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
I used a piece of aluminum a little narrower and thinner than the bearing shell. Use it like a drift, gently tap against the bearing shell and once it breaks loose, about 1/4 inch, it will slide right around.


8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1